ABB wins Dh143m contract from Dubal

14 Nov 2006

Dubai: Swiss engineering group ABB said yesterday it has been awarded a Dh143.13 million contract by Dubai Aluminium Co (Dubal) to upgrade rectifier, transformer and automation systems at its 480-hectare smelter complex in Dubai.

The project includes replacing five high-voltage regulating rectifier transformers with larger units rated at 86 megavolt amperes, to increase capacity and allow Dubal to combine two smelting potlines.

Rectifiers are devices that convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).

Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB power products division, said the company sees increased demand for automation and products in the region due to dozens of ongoing large projects.

The Middle East and North Africa contributed $2.5 billion to the company's revenues in 2005, according to a company spokesman said.

Commissioning of the new ABB systems will begin during July 2007 and is set for completion in March 2008. Dubal last year produced 761,000 tonnes of aluminium and expects to produce 861,000 tonnes in 2006.

It aims to increase its output 25 per cent by the end of 2007.

ABB said it is also supplying control and protection systems as well as 250 kiloampere (kA) field-oriented control equipment to Dubal.

ABB will upgrade existing systems including high-voltage cables, low-voltage and control cables, fire-detection and fire-fighting equipment.